Mark of the Hunter: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Lords of Alekka Book 2)

by A. E. Rayne

  Eddeth sat down on the bed. ‘Oh?’

  ‘I saw Sigurd’s blue eyes, full of terror, the storm crashing around them. Ludo was there looking after him.’ She yawned, feeling worried. ‘I saw Ilene.’

  Eddeth screwed up her nose. ‘I don’t like that Ilene.’ Then she saw something else in Alys’ eyes. ‘What?’

  Alys looked away, towards the flames licking the blackened sides of Eddeth’s new cauldron. ‘I don’t know.’ She reached back under the pillow, pulling out the brooch Karolina Vettel had given her. ‘It doesn’t make any sense, but I think I saw Reinar trying to kill Hakon’s wife. Her and her baby.’

  Eddeth snorted. ‘Reinar? Kill a woman and a baby? I doubt that! Reinar?’

  It didn’t make sense, and Alys decided to let it go.

  The turning of the lock had them both jerking around. And within a heartbeat, the door had swung open, and Hakon stood there, eyes on the brooch in Alys’ hand. ‘Perfect! Just what I came to talk to you about. I want to know everything you dreamed about my wife!’

  39

  Ivan pushed open the door with a sigh, wishing he was walking into Orbo’s great hall; Orbo, where Jesper Vettel had ruled as lord, and he had been a boy with his cousin.

  Where nothing was too serious. Where everything was fun.

  Where the future shone before them like a glittering prize, not a black hole of doom waiting to swallow them whole.

  He saw Lief’s dour face, long and miserable, and he frowned, scooping up a boiled egg, popping it into his mouth. The hall was empty, apart from Lief. There was no one Hakon trusted to be around him and his family now. He’d shut them all out, keeping the hall doors permanently closed.

  It wasn’t the way to foster feelings of camaraderie before a battle, Ivan thought irritably. ‘No sign of Hakon, then?’ he wondered, not wanting to be drawn into another heavy conversation with Lief. Lief who harboured thoughts of overthrowing his cousin.

  ‘He went to fetch the dreamer.’

  ‘Oh?’ Ivan straightened up, running a hand over his wild beard.

  ‘It’s wishful thinking, if you ask me,’ Lief grumbled, ‘expecting her to have the answers to all his problems.’

  ‘Well, Mother always did.’

  ‘Mother was experienced. An old woman who knew dark magic. What does Alys truly know? What can she help him with?’ Lief stiffened as Hakon pulled back the curtain, leading Alys towards the map table. The tables behind them beckoned with an abundance of food, and his eyes drifted to a plate of pickled eel, which he always enjoyed, though he wondered at the wisdom of preparing such a banquet for breakfast. It was enough for twenty people.

  ‘You’re awake, Cousin!’ Hakon beamed, eyes glassy. ‘Just in time, for my dreamer has word of our attackers!’ And almost pushing Alys over, he hurried her to the table, moving her so that she stood beside him, in front of Lief and Ivan.

  Both men felt concerned, seeing the frantic look in Hakon’s eyes. He was panting, sweat beading across his forehead as though he’d been running on a summer’s day, yet not even the two roaring fires had taken the intense chill off the spacious hall.

  ‘You do?’ Ivan leaned forward. ‘Where are they?’

  ‘I saw them in a storm. They lost sight of each other, I think. They seemed far apart. More than one ship went under.’

  Hakon beamed. ‘The gods! The gods are coming to our aid, just as I knew they would! Certainly Thenor. And who better to have on our side than the Father of the Gods himself!’ He took a goblet of ale from his new steward, a young man named Osmund, who looked nothing like Rikkard, he thought with a smile. Osmund was older, with a more confident air. Better to look at too. ‘He’s destroying our enemy for us!’

  ‘One or two ships lost? That’s not enough to threaten their assault,’ Lief warned.

  ‘Though perhaps they are slowed down? Blown off course? Needing to regroup?’

  He was reaching, Lief saw. ‘What else did you see?’ he asked Alys.

  Alys turned to Hakon, not sure if he wanted anyone to know.

  ‘Alys saw Reinar Vilander trying to kill my son.’

  Ivan looked surprised; Lief incredulous.

  ‘That’s the sort of man coming for us. A child killer!’ Hakon snarled. ‘Karolina was protecting Anders, wasn’t she? And he was trying to kill her too!’

  Ivan’s mind skipped ahead. ‘But that means he was inside the fort, Hakon. That he got in. And where were you? Where was I? Why was Karolina unprotected?’

  Those were all good questions.

  They turned to Alys, who swallowed. ‘I saw only glimpses. I don’t know what happened to the fort. They were in the bedchamber. The one you took me to last night,’ Alys said. She saw Reinar, his hand on her face, smiling down at her. It didn’t make any sense.

  ‘We must protect our families!’ Hakon growled, eyes on Lief. ‘We must keep the Vilanders out of Slussfall! I want to see those fletchers. Have the men returned from the quarry? We need more rocks, boulders. We must crush them! Though not their ships,’ he muttered, scratching his chin. ‘Not their ships. We will draw them out of those ships, encourage them up the hill to the harbour gates. Trap them there. Slaughter them! We want a new fleet, don’t we, Cousin?’

  Ivan thought that a fleet of ships was the last thing they needed to worry about now.

  ‘A fleet of ships to sail us straight to Stornas, where I will finally be crowned the King of Alekka!’ Hakon’s smile twisted suddenly, the pain in his chest crushing.

  ‘Hakon?’ Ivan stepped around the table as his cousin collapsed forward. ‘Are you alright?’

  Hakon straightened up quickly, lashing out at Ivan, hitting him in the jaw.

  Ivan stumbled back, shock in his eyes.

  ‘My lord?’ Lief glanced at Ivan, not wanting to approach Hakon himself.

  But Hakon was already shaking it off, chest pains receding, sweat pouring down his back. ‘Stop fussing!’ he growled, wanting everyone’s attention back on the map.

  Alys’ eyes drifted away from the table towards the doors, which opened as Karolina and Falla came in with their children and servants.

  ‘What’s happened?’ Falla wondered, glancing at Lief, who looked even paler than usual.

  ‘Nothing! Nothing!’ Hakon insisted, motioning for his wife to come closer. ‘Have you had breakfast, my love? There’s so much food. Alva’s been busy, up before the birds!’ The generous spread did not trouble Hakon at all. He barely glanced at it before drawing his eyes back to his wife, who was cradling his son. He felt a burst of rage, thinking of Reinar Vilander, wondering how he was going to keep his family safe. ‘Ivan!’ he announced suddenly, smiling at his cousin. ‘When the time comes, Ivan will look after you!’

  Everyone was surprised by that, especially Ivan, who was holding his jaw. ‘What?’

  ‘I will take charge of everything in the fort myself, Lief will assist me, and you, Cousin, will be in the hall, guarding my most precious possessions.’ He saw Falla pick up her boy; Lief had revealed that she too was carrying a child. ‘And you will watch Falla and her son!’ Hakon glanced at Lief, whose wide mouth was slightly ajar, confusion in his eyes. ‘There’s no one I trust more.’

  Ivan shook his head. ‘But I...’

  ‘Will be where you are needed most!’ Hakon insisted. ‘And if Alys’ dream is to be believed, then you will face down Reinar Vilander himself!’ Hakon thought about that, wondering if he should remain in the hall with his family, but Thenor needed to see him on the wall, bellowing orders from the ramparts, crushing his enemy. He didn’t need to see Ivan and Lief.

  He heard Ivan spluttering beside him, and ignoring him, Hakon kissed his wife on the lips and his son on the cheek. ‘Now let’s get to the armourer’s and see if he’s done as I’ve asked, for if not, I shall have to take off his head!’

  No one spoke, and no one moved, but Hakon headed to the doors, oblivious. Glancing over his shoulder, he peered at Ivan. ‘Take Alys back to her chamber, and make sure to lock her in!
I don’t want to lose my prize, do I?’

  Ivan watched his cousin go, stunned.

  Even Lief looked blind-sided, but smiling briefly at Falla, he strode after his lord.

  The doors opened and closed behind them, and nobody spoke.

  The seas had calmed overnight, the storm retreating, and despite a lingering worry over the rest of their fleet, most of them had managed a few hours sleep.

  Even Reinar.

  Elin smiled up at him, and he felt uneasy, remembering his dream.

  ‘It’s good to see Sigurd again,’ she said, nodding towards Dagger, who was back beside them, cutting through the waves like a blade, red-and-white-striped sail billowing in the fresh breeze.

  Reinar nodded, though he couldn’t see the rest of the fleet. The storm had blown them asunder, and Holgar had spent most of the morning trying to tack back towards the coast, worrying about how much time they’d lost.

  Elin’s eyes drifted to Stina, who had sunk down to her haunches after spending most of the morning vomiting over the stern. ‘And what do you think that dreamer is telling Hakon Vettel? Will she see everything you’ve got planned?’

  ‘I hope not.’ Reinar didn’t look at Elin. ‘She’s not like other dreamers. And besides, she won’t want to help him.’

  ‘No? What makes you so sure?’

  Reinar was still shocked by what Alys had revealed, wishing he’d had the time to ask her more. ‘Because they’re on different sides. Alys’ grandfather fought with my father.’

  Holgar, who was standing nearby, looked surprised. ‘He did?’

  Reinar nodded. ‘Jonas Bergstrom.’

  The old helmsman twisted around, shocked. ‘We kidnapped Jonas’ granddaughter?’

  ‘That we did.’

  ‘Well, lucky for us you didn’t sell her. Don’t think Jonas would have taken that well.’

  ‘No, but I doubt he’ll be happy either way,’ Reinar muttered, remembering his promise to Alys. Elin looked at him quizzically. ‘Alys won’t betray us. She’ll do what she can to help us because the Vettels are the enemy of everyone who believes in Ake. They’re the enemy of everyone who wants freedom and safety for their family.’ And stepping around his wife, and a still-stunned Holgar, Reinar headed back to the stern to check on Stina.

  Ivan sat on the bed beside Alys.

  She didn’t move.

  Nor did he.

  ‘Do you really see Reinar Vilander trying to kill Anders? And Karolina?’

  Alys nodded. ‘It makes no sense, but I do.’

  Eddeth was asleep in a chair by the fire, snoring like thunder.

  They were whispering.

  ‘And if he gets into the fort, what will he do?’

  ‘What you would do in his place, I imagine. I can’t read his mind. I don’t know him.’ That was almost true.

  ‘Hakon is becoming... different.’

  ‘The mark will do that.’

  Ivan didn’t want to hear that, yet what had he been expecting? ‘He insists he doesn’t have the mark. That it was simply a warning. That Thenor will return his favour once he proves himself worthy.’

  Alys didn’t know the gods well enough to be sure of anything. She glanced at Eddeth, realising that she needed to talk to her further. If they were the pawns Eddeth insisted they were, then they needed to know whose side the gods were truly on. ‘Well, I wouldn’t rely on it. You must watch him closely. You and Lief.’ She saw Ivan flinch. ‘Lief is loyal, isn’t he?’

  Ivan snorted. ‘Not anymore. He wants me to betray my cousin, I’m sure of it.’

  ‘His wife is pregnant.’

  ‘I doubt he’s doing it to protect her. He wants the throne himself.’

  ‘What throne?’ Alys wondered. ‘There is no throne.’ She was annoyed, her voice rising. ‘There is a king in Stornas, and he rules Alekka, trying to keep his people safe. He took the throne from your grandfather after ten years of war. And more. Not for glory, but because your grandfather was a cruel tyrant who slaked the land with the blood and sweat of his people, with little care for their lives. He valued nothing but himself and his throne and his line. What throne is there, Ivan? A chair cruel men occupy? That’s not who Ake Bluefinn is. He’s a leader, a man people care for, because he cares for them. Why try to remove him when he seeks to do the best for Alekka? The best for our people?’

  Eddeth roused herself from her nap with a grunt, surprised to see Ivan and Alys sitting on the bed. ‘When did you get here?’ She rubbed her nose, stomach growling. ‘I could do with another breakfast. That bowl of porridge wasn’t enough for a mouse!’

  Ivan hurried to his feet, staring down at Alys. ‘Ake stole the throne. Whatever you say about him, Ake stole the throne given to us by the gods. Thenor himself chose the Vettels to lead Alekka. You must know that! Ake went against the gods. Ake and all those men who fought beside him. They took something from us, but also from Thenor, and I won’t go against my cousin or the gods by giving up now. Is that what you think I should do? Throw up my hands and throw open the gates?’

  ‘Why not?’ Alys stood, ignoring Eddeth’s raised eyebrows. ‘You’d be free if you did.’

  ‘Free? I’d be dead!’

  ‘Not necessarily. I know Reinar. I could save you. You and Lief.’

  Ivan glowered at Alys, confused. Running both hands over his head, he almost shouted in annoyance. ‘I have to go. I need to get to the armoury!’ And in three quick strides, he was at the door, yanking it open, disappearing down the corridor.

  Alys turned to Eddeth, who was staring at her. ‘I know.’

  ‘Well, it was one approach, I suppose,’ Eddeth grinned, ‘though, perhaps not the best. They are blood. And more. Like twins, I think, those boys. Hakon is all the family Ivan has in the world. Hakon and his son. It would be hard for anyone to betray family.’

  Alys saw the image of Jesper Vettel talking to the blonde-haired woman called Mirella, and she nodded, barely listening. ‘I imagine so.’

  Reinar led his fleet into a sheltered inlet, just big enough for their ships.

  There were beacons along the shore, and he ordered Berger and ten of his men to head into the nearby village to threaten anyone who dared light them. It was a small village, stripped of its able menfolk, and no one argued with a growling Berger dressed in full battle gear.

  They had arranged to meet at midday on the third day of their journey, wanting to regroup, refresh themselves, and go over their plan.

  The ships trickled in, washed ashore, wet and weary men almost tumbling into the water, relieved to feel something solid beneath their feet. Some collapsed onto the golden sand, exhausted after the stormy night.

  It took hours.

  Eventually, Reinar counted twenty-eight ships. Two were missing, and he could only hope that they would find their way to Slussfall on their own, though he had a bad feeling after that violent storm.

  ‘Pity we can’t stay the night here,’ Bjarni sighed as they shook by the hastily built fire. The villagers had helped the sodden men, bringing them dry twigs and logs, some tinder and food too. And though Reinar gratefully took the wood, he turned the women back with their food, knowing how tough times were.

  ‘Well, the sand does look inviting,’ Sigurd decided, remembering the stony beaches he’d slept on as they sailed from Goslund to Ottby. ‘But I imagine our lord and leader will say no.’

  ‘He will,’ Reinar agreed, happy to see Elin and Stina cooking sausages over the neighbouring fire. Ilene stood nearby, scowling. ‘We’ve got plans, plans disrupted by that storm, but they know we’re coming. We don’t want to give them even more time to prepare.’

  Ludo brought a trencher of sausages over, barely reaching their small group before they were all gone. ‘I...’ And shoulders slumped, he turned back to Elin with the empty trencher.

  Bjarni quickly gobbled down two sausages, eyes on Berger, who had trekked back to Ilene. ‘There’s trouble right there.’

  Reinar followed his gaze, not liking the sound o
f more trouble, but turning his head, he shrugged. ‘Berger’s not like his brother.’ And staring at Sigurd, who was about to open his mouth, he frowned. ‘He’s not.’

  ‘Don’t think Bjarni was talking about Berger.’

  Reinar harrumphed, turning away. ‘Let’s talk about Slussfall.’ He inclined his head for Sigurd, Bjarni, Holgar, and Bolli to follow him to where a row of boulders held back the sand, the village perched up behind the dunes. When they were far enough away from everyone else, Reinar started whispering. ‘Alys came to me.’

  No one knew what that meant.

  Everyone turned to look at Elin, still crouched over the fire.

  ‘Is that how you knew about Jonas?’ Holgar wondered.

  ‘What?’ Sigurd wasn’t following.

  ‘Jonas. Jonas Bergstrom,’ Holgar explained. ‘He’s the dreamer’s grandfather.’

  Bolli spat out his sausage. ‘What?’

  Sigurd echoed his shock. ‘Jonas? But...’

  Reinar had no time for any of it. ‘She said he’s there, with Vik. They’re trapped in the caves, trying to rescue her. With her son.’

  Sigurd shook his head, eyes skipping past Bjarni to his brother. ‘You had a dream. A dream! Why are you thinking any of this is real? I dreamed I was a raven, flying over the ocean, but I’m not about to take flight!’

  Bolli snorted, regretting his lost sausage, now buried in the sand. He glanced at Ludo, wondering what was taking him so long.

  Holgar was the quieter of the two helmsmen. ‘You do know dreamers can come into your dreams, don’t you, Sigurd? I remember Jonas telling us that. His wife would often visit him, he said.’

  ‘Did he?’ Bolli didn’t remember that.

  Holgar nodded. ‘If Reinar thinks he had one of those sort of dreams, we may as well hear him out.’ He lowered his voice. ‘They were close, you know.’

  Everyone turned to Reinar, who glared at Holgar.

  Ludo trekked through the sand with another trencher, and their attention shifted back to the sausages.